Sen. Jones proposes closing gun rental loophole

LANSING, Mich. —Sen. Rick Jones announced that he is working on a solution to a loophole in Michigan law concerning gun rentals.

“An awful tragedy recently occurred in which a Lansing area woman was murdered after filing a personal protection order against her former boyfriend,” said Jones, R-Grand Ledge. “After losing his own gun due to a judge’s order, the violent man went to a pawn shop and attempted to buy another handgun. When the dealer ran a criminal background check, the sale was stopped.

“Unfortunately, the man then went to a gun range, rented a handgun and walked out with it — leading to the murder of the woman who had previously filed a PPO against him. He then committed suicide. With commonsense reform, we can help prevent similar senseless situations.”

Jones has been working with the Michigan State Police on legislation regarding the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) system and preventing violent people from taking advantage of the loophole in the future.

Under the senator’s requested legislation:
• To rent a handgun in Michigan, individuals would be required to have a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) or a permit to purchase or they must pass an NICS background check;
• If an individual tries to buy a handgun and the NICS stops the purchase, the dealer would have to notify the police so they can follow up. If the individual has a personal protection order against them, the police could then alert the potential victim; and
• Residents who have their CPL suspended would be required to turn their CPL card into the county clerk. Failure to do so would be a misdemeanor offense.